Apple announced that it had approved the Epic Games Store in the European Union. The decision came after the gaming company publicly complained on X that Apple had repeatedly violated European Union law.
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Epic Games accused Apple of unfairly rejecting the game store’s notarization submission on Friday in its X post. The gaming company complained that they had submitted it to Apple twice, and their notarization request was denied each time. Epic Games announced that their submission had since been accepted hours later.
Epic Games referred Apple to the European Commission
Apple signed off on Epic Games’ store in Europe after the gaming company issued a public complaint. Epic Games stated on X that the tech giant had repeatedly declined their application in contravention of E.U. law. In a brief addendum later in the day, the games company stated that Epic Games store submission was allowed.
“Update: Apple has informed us that our previously rejected Epic Games Store notarization submission has now been accepted.”
-Epic Games
The game publisher stated the iPhone maker had rejected the notarization of its documents prior to the announcement. Apple claimed that Epic’s call-to-action labels and in-app purchase buttons were too similar to those of its App Store buttons.
Epic responded by stating that users were already familiar with the naming conventions. They also added that they were trying to build a familiar mobile store. The company defended its disclosure on in-app purchases. It stated that it is a regulatory best practice that all stores abide by.
“We are using the same “Install” and “In-app purchases” naming conventions across popular app stores on multiple platforms and following standard conventions for buttons in iOS apps.”
Epic Games on X
Epic Games stated that Apple’s actions were arbitrary and obstructive and violated the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The gaming company added that it had shared its concerns with the European Commission. Epic said it was ready to launch its Fortnite game and Epic Games Store in the EU on iOS in the next few months.
1/3 Apple has rejected our Epic Games Store notarization submission twice now, claiming the design and position of Epic’s “Install” button is too similar to Apple's "Get" button and that our "In-app purchases" label is too similar to the App Store's "In-App Purchases" label.
— Epic Games Newsroom (@EpicNewsroom) July 5, 2024
X users noted the company did not reveal whether or not they had withdrawn their complaint from the European Commission. The European Commission also remained silent on the recent issue.
European Commission opened investigations against Apple
The European Commission had previously announced it had opened proceedings against Apple to investigate whether its actions violated the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The Commission stated the Act required gatekeepers to allow developers to lead users to offers away from the gatekeepers’ stores.
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The European Commission stated it intended to wrap up its investigations in a year. The Commission warned that companies found in breach of the Act’s provisions could face penalties of up to ten percent of their worldwide turnover.
The Digital Markets Act came into effect on March 7. According to Thiery Breton, the EU’s internal commissioner, changes can already be seen.
“We have been in discussions with gatekeepers for months to help them adapt, and we can already see changes happening in the market.”
Thierry Breton
Apple and Epic Games have been involved in legal battles since 2020. The gaming company complained that Apple’s charges of up to 30% commissions on in-app purchases on its operating system (iOS) contravened U.S. antitrust rules.
Apple had previously proposed amendments to its App Store policies to comply with the DMA’s provisions enforced in March. The tech giant stated it would allow alternative stores on iPhones and an opt-out option from the in-app payment system.
Cryptopolitan reporting by Collins J. Okoth
